Thursday 22 December 2016

Visit Larkleet this Christmas

The official countdown to Christmas has begun and you can feel a certain frenzy in the air before the big day! 

At Larkfleet, we appreciate that it's actually a good time to start thinking about making that big move in the new year, so rest assured we will still be working away to make your dreams become a reality.



Our show homes are open from 10 am to 5 pm and you can pop along to one of them (or more than one!) over the Christmas break to plan your new life in a Larkfleet property.

Opening days:

Friday 23 , Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December

In 2017 we will be open as usual from Monday 2 January.

Have a great Christmas




Wednesday 21 December 2016

Larkfleet donates special Christmas hamper

Larkfleet has donated a huge hamper to local housing association Accent Nene as part of our continued support for the community. 

The hamper full of goodies was given as a prize to be included in Accent Nene's giant raffle.

All the proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Women's Aid Centre in Peterborough - a local charity that offers support and resettlement services for woman and children affected by domestic violence. 



The hamper donation is just another example of how seriously Larkfleet takes community engagement.
 
More information can be found here www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk/community.
 
Larkfleet will continue its community support activities in 2017. Meantime - have a good Christmas!













Tuesday 20 December 2016

Get cosy at home this Christmas

Okay okay, so it's that time of year again when you'll see the word Christmas appear on almost every Larkfleet blog post! Well what can we say,  Larkfleet just loves all things Christmas ....


It's a wonderful time of year (said a song once) and is a great excuse to make your home look stunning. We are thinking lights, tinsel and all things that are pretty.

There's something about this time of year that makes you want to get all cosy indoors and it doesn't need to cost a fortune.




Lighting is really important and the right moods expressed through warm colours can make the home feel extra cosy, especially scented candles such as vanilla or cinnamon.

Fresh flowers always add a touch of 'outdoors indoors' and will add some earthy appeal to your home.

Treat yourself to a lovely wool blanket and a soft rug, add a cup of tea, your favourite book and maybe some chocolates on the side .... Heaven!

So go on. Turn your home into a place of harmony where you can unwind after Christmas shopping, opening presents from your loved ones and that busy social calendar.





Enjoy x






Thursday 15 December 2016

Merrry Christmas from Larkfleet!

The team at Larkfleet would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas! It's been a fantastic year at Larkfleet and we have no doubt that 2017 will be just as good.



Remember you still have time to take advantage of one of Larkfleet's Christmas offers! You can call a member of the sales team on 0845 450 7872 who will be more than happy to talk to you and help you on your new house buying journey.

You can also visit the Larkfleet website where you will find more information on our developments
and locations.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Lark Energy delivers renewable power to India!

It has been quite a year for the Larkfleet Group of Companies - parent company of Larkfleet Homes - and we have no doubt that 2017 will be just as amazing!

Industry awards, endless community projects, and of course, building beautiful new homes, all add to a very stunning portfolio indeed so it would be hard to think of how this year could possibly be topped, but we've done managed to do it.

Lark Energy, part of the Larkfleet Group of companies, has successfully won funding from a UK government-sponsored competition to build a mobile version of its solar thermal system which is designed to deliver renewable heat and power in remote ares of rural India.


The project will be ongoing over two-years and Lark Energy is directly contributing £128, 000.

Simone Perini, a renewable energy development engineer at Lark Energy, said: "We are delighted that we have won funding through the Energy Catalyst competition.

"Solar stream has the potential to transform energy access in India and other developing countries."

The Larkfleet solar stream system works by focusing the sun's rays through a Fresnel Lens array onto a tube which contains water. The water is then heated to create steam which can be used in industrial process heating and cooling applications or for power generation.

This novel technology will be adapted to have a positive impact on sustainable and renewable energy in areas where access to power is limited such as rural India.

You can find out more about this amazing project at www.solarsteam.co.uk and we will keep you updated here too.


Thursday 8 December 2016

Larkfleet Christmas offers!

This Christmas, give yourself the gift of a lifetime and make a move into a fantastic new Larkfleet property. 

We have various offers across our key developments and this year, you might even get a free hamper as a welcome gift!



Maybe you want to upsize, relocate or simply fancy a change? Whatever your reasons, at Larkfleet we understand that moving house is a big decision and that is why we will be with you every step of the way ensuring that your move is as easy as possible.

So what are you waiting for? Give us a call today on 0845 450 7872  or visit www.larkfleethomes.co.uk and let's get you moving! 

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Make a move to The Croft in Baston

The Croft at Baston is an exciting development of 49 new homes built exclusively for the over 55s.

Situated in the lovely Lincolnshire village of Baston, The Croft is the perfect place for those that enjoy tranquility and relaxation

These properties are extremely popular, however - we now have just one left, so you will need to be fast if you want to make it yours!

Call 0845 450 7872 to speak with a Larkfleet adviser and start the journey into your new Larkfleet home.





Pictures show the interior and exterior of a stunning property at The Croft.

Friday 2 December 2016

Gretton Valley show home opening soon!

Larkfleet is just unstoppable! Our Gretton Valley development in Weldon on the outskirts of Corby includes all that you would expect from Larkfleet with a little more too!

This fantastic new eco-friendly development is a fine selection of one to five bedroom eco-friendly homes all fitted with solar panels.

Gretton Valley is situated near the pretty villages of Gretton and Weldon and is surrounded by green fields.



If you are interested in moving into one of these beautiful new homes, why not take a visit to our new show home on its opening weekend - Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December from 10 am to 5 pm. This stunning house has a 'room with a view' looking out over the valley. During the opening weekend you can enjoy a glass of prosecco and some nibbles whilst you look around your potential new home.

After the initial weekend the show home will be open daily so don't worry if you cannot get there for your free wine and snacks - just come along later in the month. We'll be delighted to see you on any day!


Call  07825171412 or visit http://www.larkfleethomes.co.uk/gretton-valley for more details.

Thursday 1 December 2016

It's another win for Larkfleet!

Yes we have done it again!

Larkfleet has picked up the award for Large Business of  the Year at the recent Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards.

The Peterborough Business Awards are a chance for Peterborough's finest to shine as they showcase the top talent in Peterborough.

The night was attended by more than 250 business leaders along with their guests at Peterborough Arena.

This award is another one to add to the list for Larfleet and is a great testament to hard work and dedication!

Add this to the ongoing community work Larkfleet is rolling out and it's easy to see why we are top for new housing development in the region and afar!



Pictured is Larkfleet CEO Karl Hick accepting the award!


Wednesday 23 November 2016

Hurry and make the purchase of a lifetime!



Why not treat yourself to a beautiful new Larkfleet home this Christmas and receive a fantastic hamper as a welcome present?

You will need to be quick though as they are going fast!

We have two homes for sale at Parson's Prospect and not only can you move in for Christmas but you will also get a £10,000 discount on our 'home of the week' and your stamp duty paid if you make that purchase this week!




We have one home available at The Paddock in the desirable Stamford and for this week only, you will receive a £10,000 discount.

.




Back to Stamford again and we have one home available at our popular Anvil Mews development. Buy now and you will get stamp duty paid. This property has flooring throughout.





Monday 21 November 2016

Larkfleet is recruiting!

Do you fancy a change in career?

We are looking for an assistant sales manager, quantity surveyor, sales executive, scaffolders and trainee and assistant site managers to join our successful team.



Larkfleet is an award-winning company and offers great employee benefits and career development opportunities.

We are constantly evolving and our latest Elevating House project is testament to our forward-thinking approach to housing development.

If you think you have what it takes to be part of the Larkfleet 'family', visit http://www.larkfleethomes.co.uk/careers/ for more details on the roles and how you can apply.


Thursday 17 November 2016

Larkfleet and the amazing elevating house!

It's been another busy time at Larkfleet HQ with our CEO Karl Hick appearing on BBC Radio Lincolnshire talking about the latest Larkfleet venture - The Elevating House.

So, what it's all about I hear you ask!? Well, as you know, at Larkfleet we struggle to stay still for two minutes, so it's only natural that we should come up with yet another great idea (even if we do say so ourselves!)





We present to you a house that elevates! So far, we are in the planning process with South Holland District Council and if it gives us permission, we plan to build a three-bedroom detached house in Weston Hills, near Spalding, Lincolnshire that can be raised up to 1.5 metres above ground level by eight mechanical jacks!

Karl said: "The elevating house effectively eliminates the risk of flood damage to homes so that more land across the country can be approved for future home building. This will help to tackle the 'housing crisis' that is being caused by the demand for new housing far exceeding the supply."

You can hear Karl Hick talking on the radio here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04d6dr5 

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Where can you buy a Larkfleet home?

For many of you, looking for a new home is a big step with many questions to be considered.

The location of a property is usually top of the priority list when it comes to making that special purchase. At Larkfleet Homes, we pride ourselves on carefully developing our properties in sought-after areas.

We recently told you about our new development into South West England - another great move for Larkfleet Homes - but are you aware of all the other amazing locations where we have beautiful homes?

Click on the links below to find out more about our fab locations, locations, locations.

Bourne 



Stamford



Oakham



Corby



Thorney and Peterborough



Eye



Whittlesey 



Call us on 0845 450 7872 and let's get you moving!

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Larkfleet is growing!

Larkfleet is delighted to announce the details of our expansion into the South West!

The new plan is part of an overall coast-to-coast initiative for the company and the new Larkfleet Homes South West division will be developing new homes primarily in Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset.



Leading the team for the South West will be newly-appointed head of construction Shaune Hicks and joining him will be James Higdon as head of land (pictured).

Adrian Evans, joint managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said:" We are delighted to welcome both Shaune and James to the team. Larkfleet Homes is at a very exciting stage of development and our initial plans for growth announced late last year now coming to fruition. Shaune and James are key to the expansion of Larkfleet Homes and we look forward to working with them on opening our first sites in the South West."

You can contact our new Exeter office on 01392 314050 or email enquiries@larkfleethomes-sw.co.uk

Thursday 3 November 2016

Larkfleet at student open evening

As part of the ongoing Larkfleet Community Programme, we spent some time at an open evening at The Greater Peterborough University Technical College to give students an insight into a new career in construction.

It was a great event attended by local businesses promoting the industry offering students hints, tips and advice on how to embark on a promising career in construction.




GPUTC is an exciting new college in the heart of Peterborough and is very much based on training for the 'world of work'. Larfkleet is delighted to be part of this great initiative

We are one of only three local 'employer sponsors' and have been involved right from the outset of the project, donating both cash and expertise to help to get the college started.

If you are interested in a career in construction, visit www.gputc.com

Our photo show GPUTC students chatting to members of the Larfkleet team.

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Larkfleet continues to shine in the community!

Yes, we are at it again and we don't just mean building amazing new homes.

Larkfleet understands the importance of working with the local community. As a responsible business we want to ensure we can 'give something back' and that's why our recent collaboration with the fantastic charity Shine means so much. 

By sponsoring a virtual balloon race, Larkfleet can help to support people affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid on the brain).

The race is organised by Peterborough-based charity Shine and people have the chance to watch and track their balloon as it races to the (virtual) finish line.



Shine has been running fund-raising balloon races for about 40 years but moved them into the online world in 2009 because of concern about the environmental impact of balloons littering the countryside. People can buy a ‘virtual balloon’ which can then be decorated, tracked and even have its journey influenced on social media!

The Shine computer takes account of real-world weather conditions and factors such as the amount of gas in each balloon as it continuously calculates the position of each race entrant following the online ‘launch’. The winning balloon is the one that travels furthest on the virtual map.

Larkfleet Homes and sister company Allison Homes are sponsoring Shine’s Benny Bear New Year Balloon Race. Benny Bear is the Shine ‘mascot’, a character who has hydrocephalus and works with children to raise awareness of the condition and its impact.

Asif Shaheed of Shine said: “The sponsorship from Larkfleet provides essential funding which allows Shine’s team to contact companies and individuals across the country and encourage them to buy a balloon in the race. We have sold more than £70,000 worth of balloons already – and the race does not actually start until 3 January when we will ‘launch’ the balloons from Larkfleet’s headquarters in Bourne.”

Helen Jones, director of marketing at Larkfleet, said: “We are delighted to sponsor The Benny Bear New Year Race as part of our programme of support for local communities and charities.

“Shine is an amazing charity and the balloon race is a fun way to raise money for a serious and worthwhile cause.”

If you would like to buy a balloon in the race you can do so at www.tiny.cc/benny.

The image (left to right) shows Shine CEO Kate Steele with Benny Bear and Helen Jones of Larkfleet at the start of the fundraising campaign.



Sunday 30 October 2016

Give yourself the gift of a new home this Christmas!

At Larkfleet, not only do we build beautiful homes - this year, we could also make your Christmas one to remember for a lifetime.

Try to imagine waking up on Christmas day in a beautiful brand new home.

Christmas is a time of coming together, enjoying family time, couple time, or even just you time. How great would it be to know that you can sit back and relax after the big move and spend the new year getting to know the local area, your neighbours and maybe the local pub too?

But you need to get moving fast as the following locations are extremely popular and are going like hot cakes (or should that be Christmas cakes..?)

The Croft Baston 

Just two properties remain at this gorgeous development built for the over 55s.

For further details visit www.larkfleethomes.co.uk/the-croft-baston 




Parson's Prospect in Eye 

There are only two properties left at Parson's Prospect with its award-winning show home!

For further details visit www.larkfleethomes.co.uk/parsons-prospect 






And there's just one left at both The Paddock and Anvil Mews in Stamford.




Thursday 27 October 2016

Solving the housing crisis

Experts on planning, development and building gathered in Peterborough to discuss solutions to the nation’s ‘housing crisis’ – the shortage of homes caused by the fact that the UK is not building enough new properties to meet the needs of a growing population.

The event was the second in an annual series of conferences organised by The Larkfleet Group of Companies.

Speakers included Lord Matthew Taylor, president of the National Association of Local Councils, Simon Machen who is corporate director of Peterborough City Council, and Tim Watton, technical director of planning consultancy RPS.



Lord Taylor said that new garden villages could become a ‘third leg’ of development alongside redevelopment of former industrial land and additions to existing urban settlements. He stressed the potential benefits of garden villages for permitting the funding of infrastructure such as schools and community facilities as part of building new sustainable communities. He welcomed the fact that the government had embraced this concept and that garden villages are now part of national housing policy following an announcement in the budget in March of this year.

He told the conference: “Garden villages create long term investment opportunities aligned to development of social infrastructure. By aligning the economic interests of builders, government and residents, they can make a substantial contribution to solving the housing crisis.”

Simon Machen told the conference: “Local authorities need to move beyond their traditional roles as regulators of the planning and development system to become facilitators – and even developers – in order to meet the needs of their communities.”

Tim Watton talked of the impacts of new planning legislation and the tension between neighbourhood plans drawn up by local communities – which now have a statutory role in the planning system – and the need for local councils to meet targets for house building.

Karl Hick, CEO of The Larkfleet Group of Companies who opened the conference, said: “It was a very interesting event with some lively questions from an expert audience.”

More than 70 people attended including councillors and officers from several local authorities, architects, planners, builders, surveyors and others involved in the housing industry.

Photo caption: Speakers at the Larkfleet conference – left to right: Simon Machen (Peterborough City Council), Tim Watton (RPS), Lord Matthew Taylor, Karl Hick (CEO, The Larkfleet Group of Companies).

Tuesday 25 October 2016

£5,000 up for grabs


The village of Eye, Peterborough, is set to receive a boost after we announced we will use our Community Fund to run a competition giving away £2,500 to each of two community groups or charities.


The competition will be run in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation which manages the Community Fund. It is open to any charity or non-profit organisation to enter.

The proposed projects must include a high level of community involvement and must be able to be delivered in the first six months of 2017.

Karl Hick, Larkfleet CEO, said: “The money in the Community Fund is designed to support and nurture the local community of Eye village.

“We felt that a competition would be a fantastic way of choosing how to award the next round of funds, while encouraging community engagement among charities and non-profit organisations.”

The deadline to apply for the competition is 15 November 2016. A panel of judges will then choose two deserving winners which will each receive £2,500 in prize-money. The results will be announced in December.

Visit www.tiny.cc/Eye-Larkfleet for further details.

Photo of Eye parish church courtesy of Rodney Burton [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday 23 October 2016

Coming soon! A brand new development in Doddington!

Here at Larkfleet, we know the importance of building our homes in the right places so we are extra excited about our new Doddington Grange development coming soon!





Situated in the village of Doddington and within easy reach of Cambridge and Peterborough, this new development will offer good sized four and five bedroom family homes with five different property types.

Doddingon has plenty of lovely things for nature lovers to get involved with, great local nurseries, primary and secondary schools and easy access to Ely, Peterborough, Kings Lynn, Cambridge and Huntingdon 

If you'd like to register your interest, call 01778 391555.












Thursday 20 October 2016

Larkfleet to sponsor the annual firework display in Bourne

Larkfleet Homes is the main sponsor at this year’s annual firework display in Bourne, further strengthening links between the company and local community.

The display is organised by Bourne Abbey Primary Academy PTFA and Bourne & District Round Table and Larkfleet is delighted to be the main sponsor for the second year.

Karl Hick, Larkfleet CEO, said: “At Larkfleet we believe in supporting our local community and sponsoring the annual Bourne firework display is a great opportunity to continue on this route.”




The popular display takes place on the Bourne Abbey School playing field on Manning Road on Saturday 5 November, starting at 5:30 pm with an official opening by the mayor. It will include a bonfire, the main display to music, special displays for children, live bands, craft stalls, trade stalls, food and drink stalls, beer tent and much more! 

Tickets cost £5 – £3 for children – if purchased in advance and a family ticket bought in advance is £14. Tickets are available from Greetings Card Shop, Bourne Abbey C of E Primary Academy School, Westfield Primary Academy School, and Elsea Park C of E Primary Academy School. All the details are at www.bournefireworks.co.uk.

The ongoing campaign at Larkfleet to build local links includes involvement with local education, eco-projects, charity donations and a continued sponsorship programme.

See you there! 

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Free turf and £1,000 towards legal fees at our Bourne Heights development!

Reserve Plot 41 at our Bourne Heights development in Bourne this week and get your garden turfed for free and £1,000 towards your legal fees.




Bourne Heights is a new development of eco-friendly two to five bedroom homes situated in the beautiful market town of Bourne in the heart of Lincolnshire.
Bourne has many features that make it an attractive place to set up home:
  • Bourne Woods - perfect for walking, jogging and picnics!
  • Outstanding primary and secondary schools.
  • Numerous pubs, shops and restaurants in the historic town centre.
  • New community centre at Elsea Park which offers all kinds of activities ranging from baby and toddler groups through to fitness and interest groups for older children and adults.

For more information on this stunning development, call 0845 450 7872 to speak to a Larkfleet sales adviser






Friday 14 October 2016

Move into a beautiful new Larkfleet property ready for Christmas!

According to the people in the know at Larkfleet HQ, The Harrington three bedroom chalet bungalows at The Croft Baston have 'flown out the door' -  but don't worry, there's two left!





If you reserve this month, your stunning new home could be ready for Christmas!


The Croft at Baston is an exciting development of 49 new homes, built exclusively for those over 55, in the tranquil village of Baston in south Lincolnshire.
At Larkfleet Homes, we appreciate it’s often older buildings that appeal most – particularly their design and use of space. That’s why our designs for The Croft at Baston draw on much of the heritage and tradition often seen in architecture from yesteryear.
All our properties are designed and built to suit the busy lifestyles of today’s homebuyers and The Croft at Baston is no exception. 
Using our expertise and experience within the lifestyle living sector, we are delighted to offer this exclusive development for the over 55s.
Prices start from £269.995. Call 0845 450 7872 to speak to a Larkfleet sales adviser





Thursday 13 October 2016

Larkfleet show home wins prestigious property award!

Larkfleet Homes has won the Show Home Award for the East Midlands in this year’s prestigious UK Property Awards and we are over the moon!


The award has been given to our stunning Parson’s Prospect show home in Eye. If the winning property goes on to receive a 5-star scoring in the next round of judging, we will automatically be entered into the national UK Property Awards.





The scoring will be announced at a VIP award event later this year at a top hotel in London where Lord Caithness, Lord Best and the Earl of Liverpool will be joining the judging panel.

The Parson’s Prospect show home was designed to fit in with our imagined ‘ideal customer’ and decorated with a village setting in mind.


Helen Hick, joint managing director of Larkfleet Homes, oversees the design and production of the company’s show homes. She said: “I have a strong view of how I would like show homes to look and we tweaked my initial ideas to come up with the resulting concept. These were fine-tuned and perfected to produce our final result - and I am sure our customers will be inspired by the show home.


“I believe we created a show home which is not only aspirational but also gives an honest view of how a family would live in one of our new homes.


“It is a real honour to win the regional Show Home Award at this year’s UK Property Awards and exciting to know Larkfleet Homes might progress through into the national awards.


“We work hard at Larkfleet Homes to deliver stunning properties and to have this recognised with an industry award of this calibre is a great accolade.”

For more details on owning a stunning Parson's Prospect property, call 01733 223225.


  •   



  • Wednesday 12 October 2016

    Larkfleet welcomes new construction director

    Larkfleet Homes has appointed Alex Powell as our new construction director.

    Alex has more than 32 years’ experience in the residential construction sector having held senior positions with major PLC developers.
     
    Alex says:"I'm extremely pleased to have been offered the opportunity to use my experience with other residential developers to help take Larkfleet and Allison Homes to the next level, whilst focusing on improving our product and customer service.

    “I’m very committed to expanding Larkfleet's training activity to provide the younger generation and school leavers with the opportunity to learn a trade and also to train young managers of the future to develop management skills and lead by example.”

    Welcome Alex! 



    Tuesday 11 October 2016

    GPUTC students enjoy site tour!

    90 students from Greater Peterborough University Technical College (GPUTC ) visited four industry-related sites with Larkfleet as part of our ongoing commitment to support the training of the next generation of construction professionals.


    The students visited a Larkfleet Homes housing site in Oakham, the Larkfleet offices in Bourne (including the Larkfleet PassiveHouse, the Eco House and the Lark Energy Solar Steam rig) and asolar farm at Hanson Cement works which was built by Lark Energy, part of The Larkfleet Group of Companies to which Larkfleet Homes belongs. Hanson also gave the students a tour of the cement works.



    GPUTC is an exciting new college in the heart of Peterborough and is very much based on training for the 'world of work'. Larkfleet is delighted to be part of this great initiative.

    We are one of only three local ‘employer sponsors’ and have been involved right from the outset of the project, donating both cash and expertise to help get the college started.

    The site tours offered students the opportunity to develop their interest in engineering or building development and the specialisms in which they would like to advance.

    If you are interested in a career in construction, visit www.gputc.com

    Our photo shows GPUTC students visiting the Solar Steam rig at Bourne.

    Friday 7 October 2016

    Macmillan Coffee Morning - So far!

    It's been quite a week for us busy people at Larkfleet Homes. Not only have we been selling beautiful homes (obviously) but we have been celebrating some success too!





    Last weekend we held coffee mornings across all of our sites in aid of Macmillan - the cancer charity.

    We are still in the process of calculating just how much was raised but we can tell you that at head office alone, we raised £192.80 from staff and visitors.

    The company then put in 'like for like' so that means we can donate £385.60 to Macmillan!

    We will keep you updated with our sites' success as soon as the figures are in!

    Thanks to everyone who supported the campaign. At Larkfleet, we are serious about supporting local communities and national charities and will continue to do so.





    Tuesday 4 October 2016

    Pinchbeck - Coming soon!

    For those looking to live in Pinchbeck near the beautiful and bustling market town of Spalding in South Holland, this new Allison Homes property development will come as quite a treat! 

    The current Allison Homes company was launched in 2014 by The Larkfleet Group of Companies but has been a recognised household name since 1992, continuously providing high quality properties. 



    This new development in Pinchbeck looks set to impress with the option of a two to five bedroom property. You can register your interest by calling 01778 391555 or by visiting www.larkfleethomes.co.uk/pinchbeck 
















    Thursday 29 September 2016

    Larkfleet invests in the future through training

    At Larkfleet we are serious about supporting communities and it gives us great pleasure to put this into practice by backing local education and training initiatives.

    Greater Peterborough UTC (GPUTC) is an exciting new University Technical College in the heart of Peterborough. It aims to provide students with an educational experience that will equip them with the technical skills and practical work experience needed to get ahead in their chosen technical career.

    The college is very much based on training and Larfkeet is delighted to be part of this great initiative.

    Karl Hick, CEO of The Larkfleet Group of Companies, said:"Larkfleet has been involved in the creation of the Greater Peterborough University Technical College since before the first plans were drawn up. We were one of only three local ‘employer sponsors’ at the outset of the project, donating both cash and expertise to help get the college started. 

    "As a company we have always placed an emphasis on investing in the future of the construction industry by supporting young local people. The GPUTC will help local students get a solid foundation of hands-on experience alongside educational learning, increasing their skills and providing them with great career potential for the future." 

    Our photo shows Karl talking to students at GPUTC just after the start of its first term.

    Larkfleet is really dedicated to training the next generation of construction professionals. If you are interested in this being you, visit www.gputc.com






    Wednesday 28 September 2016

    A perfect home for nature lovers

    At Larkfleet we understand that all our customers are different. This is why each of our property developments aims to offer you something different.

    Gretton Valley is a great example of this Larkfleet ethos.



    Set in 1,200 acres of parkland, this new development will see you living in your very own eco-friendly one, two, three, four or five bedroom house.

    The local village to Gretton Valley is Weldon with all the village amenities you need - a church, shop and pub!

    The area also offers great local and private schools making Gretton Valley an ideal place for you and your family to set up home.

    For more information on availability visit the Larkfleet website or call sales adviser Pam Mirfin for more details on 07825171512.

    Saturday 24 September 2016

    Make a move to Stamford

    Have you thought about making a move to the historic and beautiful market town of Stamford in Lincolnshire?


    Voted in the top four places to live by the Sunday Times back in 2013, it's easy to see why so many people favour Stamford when it comes to relocating and making that wonderful new start.

    With great commuter links, top schools, beautiful architecture and great shopping, moving to Stamford is a.. well... great move!

    At Larkfleet, we make sure our property developments are placed in top locations and Anvil Mews is no exception.



    A luxury collection of ten stone townhouses designed in keeping with the tradition limestone buildings of the town, this development is pure luxury. 

    Call 07717895399 to arrange a viewing - we have one property left and we want you to have it!


    Friday 23 September 2016

    Macmillan Coffee Morning - The countdown begins!

    With just a week to go until the fun begins, us busy people at Larkfleet are getting ready for one big coffee morning!

    The Macmillan Coffee Morning is a terrific event and one that Larklfleet takes great pride in being a part of.

    The first Coffee Morning happened way back in 1990 with a small and simple idea - a few people gathering to have a coffee and donate the cost of their cuppa to Macmillan in the process.

    Well, it's safe to say the campaign has certainly grown in popularity since that first coffee date.

    A staggering £138 million has been raised for Macmillan so far!

    Now it's our time to show some support and we will be holding our very own Macmillan Coffee Morning at all of our developments on Friday 30th September. 

    You can enjoy some delicious cake too! We will see you there!

    Visit www.larkfleet.co.uk for more info.



    Is it time to relocate to Oakham?

    According to The Guardian, 'there comes a time in a person's life when one starts to appreciate a place like Oakham' and here at Larkfleet, we couldn't agree more!

    Nested perfectly in the Rutland countryside, Oakham is a beautiful market town with plenty to offer its new residents.

    From quirky shops to traditional bakeries, a farmer's market and one of the country's top public schools, you could do a lot worse than making a move to Oakham.

    The Larkfleet Buttercross Park development is situated off Barleythorpe Road in Oakham and offers a fine selection of homes and townhouses aimed at couples and growing families who are looking for a stylish, traditional and environmentally friendly home. 

    So if you want a rural lifestyle in a pretty market town with all the benefits that come with good transport links, Oakham should be at the top of your 'looking to move to' list.

    The sales office is open daily from 10am - 5pm and you can call us on 01572 722262 to get the ball rolling (and the keys for your new beautiful Larkfleet home), 



    Friday 16 September 2016

    Selling your house? Get prepared!


    Before you move into your lovely new Larkfleet property, we thought it would be a great idea to offer you some top tips on how you can best sell your house. We've found a great article offering just that which we hope will make your new home buying adventure so much more fun and remove all the horrible stress!

    Planning

    Creating a budget

    Are you one of those who think that selling a house will not cost that much, retrace your thinking process and evaluate again. Selling a house means that you have to make upgrades in order to make it more presentable to the potential buyers and to increase the sale-ability of the house, to set aside money for the agent, to plan the budget for moving and to buy things like packing boxes and tape for easy moving.

    Creating a budget will help you deal with the expenses that come with selling your property, as you can make better decisions beforehand about what and where to spend money on, and be prepared to deal with the spending in an efficient manner.


    Don’t sell your house before you buy your new one 

    Many people make the mistake of thinking that since selling a house before buying a new one is a better choice, either because they think they can use the money for the house that they just sold to buy the new one, or that they think that the selling process would take a long time and would be a hassle, and it would be better just to sell it first and buy a new one later.

    How very wrong!  The problem with this thought is that you lose precious amount of time and money if you think about selling before you have bought. It’s like putting a horse before the carriage—it just doesn’t work.

    Buying a new home comes first, since you need to ensure that you have somewhere to go. If you don’t do that, the moving will be extremely difficult and costly. You will have the choice of renting a place until you shift to the new home, in which case the cost of rent and the cost of moving twice (to the rented place and to the new house) will probably empty all your savings, and put a constant strain on you as you would have to think about buying a new place and moving again.

    On the other hand, if you sell your house after you secure a place for your family or yourself, you get the benefit of saving on hundreds and thousands of pounds and getting the peace of mind of finally settling in a home.

    Don’t forget to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

    In the United Kingdom, you are legally bound to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you sell your property. In case you don’t, you will be fined for it. You are required to show the EPC to the buyers as it helps them get an insight about the energy efficiency of your home. The ratings of EPC range from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient. The EPC also illustrates:
    • The energy use of the house and the typical cost of energy.
    • The suggestions about limiting energy use and saving money.
    Make your decision about how you want to sell your house

    There are three ways that you can sell your home:
    • On your own–the traditional way
    • Through a high street agent
    • Through an online agent.
    If you or your spouse has a former experience in real estate business, and you don’t mind spending long hours searching for buyers and doing the grunt work, then by all means sell your property the traditional way.

    The middle ground is using the high street agent, and the most modern and easier way to sell your house is through an online agent.

    Online agencies use property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla, which are checked by serious buyers, so you can ensure that the buyers that contact you are thinking about making a deal, and not just “window shopping”.

    Decide when you want to sell your house

    Almost all of the property experts agree on the matter that there are some times in the year that it is beneficial to sell, while others in which it is disadvantageous to sell. If you are not bound by any other considerations, like if you have to sell your house fast due to an emergency, then you should definitely time when you put up your house for sale.

    The best and worst times to sell your property in the UK are spring and autumn, and summer and winter, respectively. Since spring and autumn are the times when people have free time to consider the lengthy process of looking for a house, there is a lot of traffic of buyers in the market. During summer, people are busy enjoying their holidays, and in winter, they are preparing for Christmas, so these times are often less successful.
    Preparing

    Now that you have planned everything, you need to prepare your house and yourself for the process of selling your house.

    Most of the renovations that we will discuss here are the ones that improve the curb appeal of the house. This is because spending your money on improving the curb appeal gives the most returns when you sell your house in the UK. So, here we go:

    Take care of the basics

    If you are investing money on the expensive stuff and ignore the basic upgrades like leaking ducts or broken windows, all your hopes of impressing a potential buyer will be torn, shredded and burnt to ash.

    If the buyer sees that the basic necessities are up and running, they might not even mind making some upgrades on their own!

    Insulation

    During winters, heating expenses increase, and if you show your viewers that you have insulation installed that will manage the expenses to an affordable level, you will get more points.

    Front door replacement

    More often than not, minor replacements can reap huge benefits and a front door replacement is one of them.

    Replacing your front door is a simple, tried and tested method that can significantly increase the value of a home. Your front door is one of the pieces making up the curb appeal of your house.

    New garage door

    A new garage door will go a long way to improve the curb appeal of your house. The best part is that you can get it at quite an affordable price, so you don’t have to worry about overspending your budget, either.

    Convert your attic into a bedroom

    Whew, we’ve talked a lot about the exterior. Let’s now talk about the interior of your home.
    Thinking out of the box comes in very handy when you need to get something done in a tight budget. If you think that adding a room will increase the value of your house, why not think about converting your dusty, old attic into a bedroom? Sure, it will cost more than replacing your front door, but it will also cost less than adding a new room. There is also less hassle as you don’t need to worry about the foundation costs and dirt work.

    Not having to add on your house’s footprint keeps the remodelling costs under control while adding a functioning and pleasant living space in your home.

    Use neutral paint and remove personalisation

    If your home is personalised to your taste, it is time to remove that. This is because the potential buyers would need a blank slate to picture their house in, and if a house already brims with your personal touch, they will have a harder time imagining it from their perspective. This is why you should use neutral paint like white and beige to make it easy for the viewers to imagine themselves living in the house.

    Set the price of your house

    Once you have all the necessary upgrades and renovations, you need to set a price on your house. Check the pricing of the houses in the neighbourhood, and make an estimate about the price of yours. To get a calculated estimate, you can use the online free estimate by Zoopla, which takes the information about your house and guesses the price. You can use this estimate as a head start and discuss with your agent to make a more accurate estimate.

    Prepare yourself for viewers

    Viewers are going to come by according to their own schedule, and the house needs to be available even when you are not home. It is very disappointing to a potential buyer to see that a home that they wanted to check out is locked, and they are unlikely to come back. In order to prevent this, simply give a spare key to your reliable agent or trusty neighbour who will do the job of showing the viewers around when you are not at home.

    Exchange contracts

    Once you successfully negotiate the deal, you can now exchange drafts. This is the legal binding that transfers the property to the buyer. Because neither party can get out of this agreement without paying a penalty, you need to make sure that you are on the same page with your buyer and everything has been discussed and agreed upon before you exchange the contracts.

    Packing (and moving out)

    Once you have been through with the whole process of selling your house, you need to move out. You need to pack carefully, and it is better that you start doing that beforehand. All the items that are not in used should be boxed up so that you only need to worry about packing the essentials when it is time to make the move. If your new house is nearby, you can take all the stuff easily on your own, with some help from friends. However, if your new house is quite far, it is better if you hire a moving service to aid you.

    We think that has it all covered and a big thank you to www.journalism.co.uk for publishing such a great article! So, now you know how to sell your house, give us a call at Larkfleet and buy your new one!